Top Startup News Today: From Groww’s IPO Buzz to AI’s Quiet Takeover

As the week unfolds, India’s startup ecosystem continues to hum with energy, innovation, and ambition. From the public markets lighting up with Groww’s much-awaited IPO to AI browsers quietly reshaping how we explore the web, today’s developments capture the pulse of a sector that refuses to slow down.

Let’s dive into the stories shaping the business and startup world.

Top Startup News Today

AI Browsers Are Quietly Rewriting the Internet

Artificial intelligence is no longer knocking at the door — it’s already inside your browser. What began as an add-on feature has become the heart of our online experience.

The new generation of AI browsers doesn’t just search; they think, suggest, and act. From Google’s Gemini Live, which summarizes search results and recalls old pages you visited, to Perplexity’s “Comet” browser that can book meetings, compare prices, and fill forms automatically — our browsing is becoming conversational, intuitive, and eerily human.

What seems like a small shift — from tabs to tasks — could fundamentally change how we consume information. AI browsers are no longer tools; they are becoming partners in productivity.

“Care Has to Be Gender Intelligent,” Says Preetha Reddy

Healthcare in India, according to Apollo Hospitals’ Executive Vice Chairperson Preetha Reddy, must shed its one-size-fits-all approach.

In a powerful statement, Reddy emphasized that “care has to be gender intelligent” — especially in a nation where women’s health is often underrepresented in research, infrastructure, and policy.

Working alongside 9,000 clinicians, Reddy has led Apollo’s push to enhance outcomes and build an ecosystem that makes high-quality healthcare accessible to every Indian woman. “India is already a leader in healthcare globally,” she said, “and now we must lead in how we design it for women.”

Groww’s IPO Opens to Roaring Retail Response

One of India’s most anticipated IPOs is finally here — and the retail crowd is making its enthusiasm loud and clear.

After global funds packed Groww’s anchor book, the Bengaluru-based investment platform opened its IPO for public bidding. The offering marks a new chapter for India’s fintech industry, proving that homegrown investment platforms can scale into trusted, mainstream financial institutions.

Scapia’s Big Leap: From Travel Card to Travel Universe

Travel credit card startup Scapia, backed by Peak XV and Elevation Capital, is expanding its horizon — literally.

The company has unveiled a full-stack travel commerce platform, built on the insight that travellers spend nearly as much on shopping and experiences as on flights and hotels.

Scapia’s evolution introduces three new pillars:

1. An independent add-on card system,

2. An AI-curated experiences marketplace, and

3. A dedicated travel e-commerce store.

Its goal? To capture every stage of a traveller’s journey — from planning to shopping to exploring — all within the same ecosystem.

TABP Raises $3M to Bring Local Drinks to the National Stage

Coimbatore-based TABP Snacks and Beverages has raised $3 million (Rs 26 crore) in a round led by LC Nueva, with participation from Entrust Family Office and investors Arun Mukherjee and Soumya Malani.

Founded in 2018 by Prabhu Gandhikumar and Brindha Vijayakumar, the company has built a niche by bottling India’s beloved street beverages for mass-market consumers.

With sales jumping from Rs 4 crore in FY19 to Rs 212 crore in FY25, TABP is now eyeing Rs 800 crore in the next three years — along with a possible IPO. The funds will help it expand distribution, launch new formats, and grow across southern and eastern India.

Protouch Bags $2M to Redefine At-Home Beauty Tech

Homegrown beauty appliance brand Protouch has raised $2 million in a pre-Series A round led by GVFL, with participation from Ennrission India Capital and Anicut Capital.

Founded in 2022 by Tanisha Lakhani, the startup blends design and technology to deliver salon-quality haircare, skincare, and grooming experiences at home.

With over 2 lakh customers and operations expanding into the Middle East, Protouch has grown 15X in just 30 months while staying profitable — a rare feat in beauty tech. The new funds will boost R&D, retail expansion, and manufacturing capacity.

UST Backs Israel’s aiOla to Build Voice-Agentic AI for Frontlines

Global tech leader UST has invested in Israel-based aiOla, a deep-tech firm turning human speech into workflow automation.

aiOla’s “voice-agentic” AI technology helps frontline workers — in industries like healthcare, retail, and manufacturing — convert spoken commands into structured, auditable actions.

UST’s investment strengthens its AI arsenal and signals a growing partnership between Indian and Israeli innovation ecosystems.

Dhan Launches Digital Stock Renting via SLBM

Stock trading platform Dhan has launched a new feature that lets investors earn passive income by lending idle stocks and ETFs.

The Stock Lending and Borrowing Mechanism (SLBM) allows users to retain ownership while earning rental yields ranging from 6% to 24% per annum, based on demand and liquidity.

With nearly 1 million active users, Dhan — part of Raise Financial Services — is looking to make stock ownership more rewarding, not just through appreciation but also income.

TVS Capital Funds Forms Tech Advisory Board

To strengthen its focus on software and enterprise technology, TVS Capital Funds has announced a new Tech Advisory Board (TAB) featuring industry veterans such as Kal Raman (ex-CDO, Samsung), Krishnakumar Natarajan (Mindtree Co-founder), U.B. Pravin Rao (ex-COO, Infosys), and Sri Rajan (Partner, Bain India).

The board will help guide investments and strategy as the firm doubles down on tech-driven opportunities under its Rs 5,500 crore Fund 4.

Microsoft AI Head Joins Mobavenue Advisory Board

Adtech company Mobavenue has roped in Ben John, VP of Engineering at Microsoft AI, as a strategic advisor.

John, who previously served as CTO of AppNexus and co-founded Xandr (acquired by Microsoft), will help Mobavenue deepen its AI-led adtech capabilities and global expansion.

The move strengthens Mobavenue’s leadership as Indian adtech firms increasingly compete with global players in innovation and scale.

Adani Group Partners Autodesk for Construction Cloud Deployment

The Adani Group has announced a three-year strategic partnership with Autodesk, integrating the Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) across its vast infrastructure portfolio.

The partnership aims to unify project data, improve collaboration, and drive efficiency through BIM-led design, automation, and sustainability solutions.

In addition to tech deployment, Autodesk will conduct leadership workshops and upskilling initiatives for Adani’s teams — signalling a long-term commitment to digital transformation in Indian infrastructure.

LegaXy & IIM Lucknow Team Up for SportsTech Accelerator

Sports-tech is getting a big boost. LegaXy, in partnership with IIM Lucknow’s Enterprise Incubation Centre (EIC) and cricketer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, is launching a dedicated accelerator for startups in sports, gaming, and new-age media.

The programme will blend academic insights, mentorship, and industry linkages to nurture ventures improving athlete performance and fan engagement — while positioning India as a key player in global eSports innovation.

Inviga Healthcare Fund Acquires 21% Stake in Forus Health

Healthcare-focused Inviga Healthcare Fund, founded by B.S. Ajaikumar (HCG), has acquired a 21% stake in Forus Health, a Bengaluru-based ophthalmic diagnostics firm known for its 3nethra devices.

With over 22 million patients screened in 75+ countries, Forus represents India’s growing leadership in affordable, AI-powered medical innovation.

“This investment,” said Ajaikumar, “is a testament to India’s ability to produce world-class healthcare innovations that are clinically strong, technologically deep, and socially impactful.”

PhysicsWallah & Sunstone Launch Student Mental Wellness Initiative

In a landmark step for student well-being, PhysicsWallah (PW) and Sunstone Education have jointly launched ‘Samvedna’, a mental wellness programme designed to support young learners.

PW’s team of qualified counselling psychologists will provide confidential one-on-one sessions, group workshops, and awareness drives — while also maintaining a 24x7 helpline for immediate assistance.

With student mental health increasingly under focus, this partnership marks a timely and meaningful intervention.

VilCart Launches B2B2C Digital Marketplace for Rural India

Rural commerce platform VilCart has rolled out a B2B2C digital marketplace app, aiming to bridge the gap between kirana stores, sellers, and consumers.

Currently serving over 1 lakh kirana stores across 30,000 villages, the platform’s new marketplace leverages its tech-enabled logistics network to drive inclusive, last-mile digital adoption — a major boost for Bharat’s retail backbone.

India’s startup ecosystem continues to evolve — sometimes quietly, sometimes loudly — but always forward. From AI shaping the web to rural tech redefining commerce, and from mental wellness in education to women’s health in hospitals, November 4 has shown just how diverse, ambitious, and impactful Indian entrepreneurship has become.